Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is the frontrunner to win the coveted Best Men’s Player Award at the upcoming Globe Soccer Awards, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

The annual awards ceremony, organized by the Dubai Sports Council, recognizes the best players in the world. Ronaldo, 38, is the oldest player nominated, while Lionel Messi, 36, is the third-oldest behind Luka Modric, 38.

Ronaldo, a six-time winner of the award, is aiming to extend his record with a seventh title. He currently leads the voting with a staggering 40.3% of the total votes cast.

Mohamed Salah follows in second place with 15.5%, while Messi holds 12.5% of the votes.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is also among the nominees, facing stiff competition from other superstars like Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Yassine Bounou, Karim Benzema, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Vinicius Jr, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ruben Dias, and Phil Foden.

Despite the formidable competition, Osimhen has garnered 0.3% of the votes, placing him ahead of 15 other nominees, including Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski, Modric, and Bukayo Saka.

The voting process for the Globe Soccer Awards is transparent and open to the public, allowing fans to vote for their preferred player online. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony scheduled for later this year.

In addition to the Best Men’s Player Award, Ronaldo is also the overwhelming favorite to clinch the inaugural Best Middle East Player award. 

He is expected to surpass other nominees like Benzema, Salem Al-Dawsari, Mourad Batna, Mohamed El Shenawy, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Odion Ighalo, Ali Mabkhout, Riyad Mahrez, Michael Olunga, Alejandro Romero, and Talisca.